Speeding, failing to signal or passing a stopped school bus might appear common and minor offenses. However, law enforcement officers in Virginia don’t see them that way. They consider them as dangerous driving behaviors, which can lead to injuries, deaths and even destruction of property. These violations are considered as reckless driving charges. In Virginia, any form of reckless driving is treated as a criminal offense. Therefore, you cannot afford to take any of them lightly.
Unlike a normal traffic citation where you can mail the fine, you will have to appear in court to face reckless driving charges. If you are unfortunate to be convicted, you are facing the prospect of spending time in jail, losing your driving privileges and payment of hefty fines. If you are not sure whether you are facing a normal speeding ticket or reckless driving charges, a Henrico County reckless driving lawyer can assess the charges and provide you with the way forward. As much as a normal speeding ticket and reckless driving by speed appear equal, the stakes are much higher when it comes to reckless driving. Beyond the legal penalties, there is the issue of a permanent criminal record that comes with conviction. At Joyner Law PLLC, we treat these charges with the intensity and effort that matches the penalties that come with conviction.
When it comes to reckless driving charges, you first need to talk to a lawyer to discuss your case with them. There is no any other way of securing legal assistance when it comes to such serious matters. Most people charged with reckless driving don’t think they will ever be required to appear in court. In fact, they assume they will mail the fine and life will continue as usual. However, not in Virginia, reckless driving charges are treated as criminal offenses. You will have to appear in court and answer these charges. That’s why you need experienced Henrico County VA reckless driving lawyers to represent you in court and help you to fight these charges. Experience matters when it comes to dealing with such serious cases, and that is where we come in. At Joyner Law PLLC, we are here to ensure you get a positive outcome in your case.
Reckless Driving in Henrico County
Reckless driving is not a single charge. Instead, you can be charged with reckless driving in Henrico County, VA, for violating various traffic rules. They include excessive speed, failing to signal appropriately, passing a stopped school bus with flashing lights, overtaking on a crest, failing to stop at a railway crossing, failing to yield to an emergency vehicle, drag racing, weaving in and out of traffic, causing accidents, driving with faulty brakes or vehicle, not in control, and driving with an obstructed view. Most people tend to confuse normal speeding with reckless driving by speed. Although the two charges are associated with excessive speed, one is a traffic infraction payable via fines while the other one is a criminal case, which carries severe penalties. You, therefore, need to talk to reckless driving attorneys to have a clear understanding of the charges that you are facing. Reckless driving by speed involves driving at 20 mph beyond the posted speed limit. Also, driving at 80 mph and above regardless of the posted speed limit is also considered as reckless driving. Such speeds are considered dangerous to the driver, the occupants of the vehicle and the other road users.
Penalties for Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is a Class I misdemeanor offense in Virginia. Penalties for crimes in this category include a fine of up to $2,500, a jail term of up to 12 months and a suspension of driving privileges for up to 6 months. It is up to the judge’s discretion to determine the actual amount of the fine. However, most consider the offense itself, as well as your history of reckless driving charges. If it’s your first time, then you may get away with a small fine. On the other hand, if you have a history of reckless driving charges, then your fine will increase. The same scenario applies to the prison sentence. First offenders usually get a lenient sentence. However, if your actions resulted in the death of another person, then you should be ready for a prolonged time in prison. Just like other Class I misdemeanor offenses, a conviction also comes with a permanent criminal record. Such a record may jeopardize your opportunities in education and employment. If you are a commercial driver, a suspension of your normal driving license also means you cannot use your CDL. There is also the issue of increased insurance premiums. Every insurance company has its policy when it comes to such issues. Therefore, once you have been charged with reckless driving, talk to your motor vehicle insurance provider to understand their policy.
Experienced Reckless Driving Attorneys
A serious traffic offense such as reckless driving is considered as a criminal offense. Such charges are best handled by experienced Henrico County VA reckless driving lawyers. Most traffic offenses usually lead to a ticket or a citation. However, with Virginia having some of the toughest traffic laws in the country, it is easy to find yourself facing criminal charges for breaking certain traffic rules. Unlike other traffic violations, reckless driving is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor offense. It is in the same category as theft, assault, and DUI, among other serious criminal offenses. The penalties are severe, including jail time, heavy fines, and restriction of driving privileges. If you are facing reckless driving charges, the best way to give yourself a fighting chance is by retaining our accomplished criminal defense attorneys. We are highly experienced when it comes to reckless driving charges. We know where your case will be heard and what needs to be done to minimize the consequences of these charges.
Every time you are in court to face reckless driving charges, there is the possibility of spending time in jail. A jail term can affect your family, especially if you are the sole breadwinner. Furthermore, you may end up losing your job, especially if the judge decides to hand out the maximum prison sentence of 12 months. In addition to that, you will come out of that prison with a criminal record, even after finishing your term. As you can see, a criminal defense lawyer should never be after-thought, when it comes to serious criminal charges like reckless driving. Whether you are in court for the first time or you have faced these charges before, our Henrico County VA reckless driving lawyers can be your legal representatives. We use our resources, skills, and experience to ensure we get the most favorable outcome in your case. A positive outcome may mean several things, depending on the circumstances surrounding your case. First, our goal is to have those charges dropped, and the case dismissed. Once that happens, you will never have to worry about the impacts of the case on your life. It is as if it never happened in the first place. However, a dismissal of the charges is not always possible, especially if the evidence is overwhelming. During such situations, we will pursue a reduction of the charges to something that does not have stringent penalties. We will always keep you informed during the entire process, to ensure you are comfortable with the steps that we take. You will always be updated on any progress made in your case. At Joyner Law PLLC, we will be your advocates throughout this complex legal process. Most people charged with reckless driving for the first time are not aware it’s a criminal offense. They assume the case will be handled like other traffic violations. However, with the increased number of accidents associated with reckless driving, the enforcement officers are on the lookout for any individual violating traffic laws. Even some violations that appear minor are considered as reckless driving, in a bid to deter drivers from committing these offenses. You also need to note that the reckless driving law in Virginia is quite open to interpretation. The good news is that our reckless driving attorneys will ensure there was proper application during your arrest. We will also ensure you receive a fair hearing during trial.
We have the experience and the skills to handle even the most demanding reckless driving charges. Although the law is clear on what constitutes reckless driving in Virginia, the police usually rely on their discretion and judgment to apply the charges. We will work day and night to uncover all the facts and evidence in your case. From cross-examining the witnesses to visiting the scene of your arrest, we don’t leave anything to chance. We ensure all the bases are covered. At Joyner Law PLLC, we understand the seriousness of the charges that you are facing. We go the extra mile to make sure we present the strongest defense possible during the trial. When you are looking for Henrico County VA reckless driving lawyers, you need to work with a local firm. If you are an out-of-state driver, then we also have you covered. As your legal representatives, we will appear in court on your behalf. You don’t have to travel all the way from your home state, just to attend court hearings in Virginia. As we do that, we will save time and money for you. However, we will always keep you informed of any progress made in your case.
Why Joyner Law PLLC
At Joyner Law PLLC, we understand every case is unique. As much as we have handled hundreds of reckless driving cases in Henrico County VA, your case requires personalized defense strategy. Your case will be heard in one of the local courts, where we have tried numerous cases before the same judge. Working with a local attorney comes with various advantages. First, you have someone by your side, who understands the local legal mechanisms. Secondly, as much as reckless driving charges and penalties are uniform across Virginia, different judges have different ways of handling these cases. Therefore, having a good understanding of how each judge handles these charges gives us an advantage over the competition. The Commonwealth of Virginia takes reckless driving seriously and therefore deal with offenders ruthlessly. If you are unfortunate to be convicted, then you may never recover from the damaging consequences. At Joyner Law PLLC, we believe you don’t have to go through all that. We understand what your reputation means to you, and we will do everything we can to maintain that. We will be your advocate in an aggressive system that is out to put you behind bars. Don’t wait until you have been officially charged to start running around looking for a lawyer. First, there are high chances that you will do this hurriedly, and you may not find an accomplished lawyer who has your best interests at heart. Secondly, looking for a lawyer early enough gives them enough time to assess your case and then come up with the most appropriate course of action to pursue. Therefore, the longer you wait before consulting a lawyer, the more you put your case at risk. If you have been arrested and charged with reckless driving, contact us today and we will be ready to provide the assistance you need.
Contact Us Today
You don’t have to plead guilty to reckless driving charges, just because a police officer claims you violated traffic rules. You have every right to question the evidence presented in court as well as the circumstances that led to your arrest. However, a judge may still find you guilty, leading to a conviction. That’s why you need a reckless driving attorney to represent you in court and protect your rights throughout the process. At Joyner Law PLLC, we will work with you throughout the trial and pursue the most favorable outcome, based on your particular case. We will launch an aggressive defense before the courts to try and prove your innocence. We have the knowledge, skills, and resources to handle your reckless driving charges and try to mitigate the consequences on your life. Schedule a free consultation today with our reckless driving attorneys.